Shifting Gazes - 3

"W-what did you say?!"

"Looks like villains attacked your place."

I heard the story while on a mission. The Association's direct research lab where Kim Yohan was currently located had been attacked by villains.

Fighting villains during field training missions wasn't all that rare. But what bothered me was that the attack was led by an A-rank villain known as the Death Witch, and there were rumors of a second wave with B- and C-rank reinforcements.

"They blocked the Death Witch's first attack, but the second one seems dangerous. Some people are out, so the Academy decided to send support."

Elizabeth bit her thumbnail without realizing it as she listened to her teammate munching on jerky.

She was anxious. Of course, she hoped her classmates wouldn't get hurt, but weighing heavier on her mind was Yohan.

The man she'd first met at Gwaneumsa, who never gave up. The one who'd faced persecution from so many people yet never once bowed his head. And now... someone she could call a friend without exaggeration.

Her heart raced at the thought of such danger unfolding where he was.

"Well, Instructor Yang Jun's there, and the lab has dummies, golems, and defense systems, so it'll probably be fine. Don't worry too much. Let's focus on our job first."

As she slowly stood, she spotted monsters charging from the distance. They were ones that had spilled out from a dungeon that appeared nearby not long ago.

Since 1999, monsters had been appearing all over the world. Especially dungeons—they spawned randomly, and the monsters inside rushed out quickly to attack people. That's why when a dungeon appeared, the Association prioritized sending heroes to clear it.

Freshmen like them weren't allowed inside dungeons. Their job was to mop up the monsters that had already escaped.

See? A pack was swarming right now. Green-furred, six-legged dog-like beasts: Green Evil Hounds. E-rank monsters, but numerous and vicious—if left alone, they'd spread and endanger countless people.

Elizabeth drew a slow breath and gripped her sword tightly.

"Let's go."

Yes. Right now, her duty as a noble was to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠protect the people. Recalling the Taylor family motto, she tightened her grip even more.

But compared to when she fought alongside Yohan, that strength felt so frail. Was it the lack of buffs? Or...

Clicking her tongue briefly, she bit her lip and charged forward.

The mission was a success. They eliminated every monster escaping the dungeon until the Association heroes inside collapsed it.

But her unease didn't fade one bit.

What if he got seriously hurt or—g-god forbid—died before I could even properly apologize... No. No way. That's impossible. His buffs aside, everyone there is top of the class, right? So...

Elizabeth felt cold sweat trickling down her back as she frantically denied the thoughts rising in her mind.

"Hey, it's over. Wanna grab some drinks?"

"I'm beat. Let's do afterparty later..."

Of course they'd be tired after nonstop fighting. Fortunately for Elizabeth, the afterparty naturally fizzled out, and once back at the Academy, the cadets scattered.

Her limbs felt heavy too—she'd fought the hardest at the front. Without her, some cadets might have been badly injured. If asked who was MVP this mission, she'd confidently say Elizabeth.

Yet she showed no joy, just ran as fast as she could.

"Yohan's tougher than he looks, huh?"

"Tch. Probably just good teammates."

"Even so, they say he didn't back down against villains... And in combat, he kept healing without flinching and shot his bow well too? Seems he's using a bow since healing's weak lately, and he's pretty good."

"Suho said his buffs are no joke?"

"Buffs? That trash skill? How good could it be? Maybe invite him to party later...?"

Overhearing as she ran—evaluations of Yohan. She'd gotten angry countless times at stingy judgments from people who barely knew him. Heroes gossiping behind backs? They should say it to his face.

But this was different from before. The cadets were reacting positively to Yohan. Not fully changed, but...

He's earning recognition...

It was only natural. And it would keep improving. Not just his unique buffs—his positive, relaxed personality, quick battle judgment, and tireless effort without giving up. All of it was plenty to win people over.

So his reputation would shift.

"...Huh?"

Suddenly, a sharp pang stabbed one corner of her chest. It vanished in an instant, but she'd felt it clearly.

She stopped, pondering briefly, but no answer came for what it was.

No. Not the time to worry about that...

"Excuse me! Do you know where Yohan is?!"

"Huh? Yohan? Think he headed to the archery range earlier."

"Thank you!"

Racing to the archery training ground, she found Yohan shooting arrows. Exhausted from yesterday's villain fight, yet still training. He truly never quit.

As her swollen anxiety from tension and worry subsided, Elizabeth approached. Thankfully, he looked unscathed. She'd heard his party members like Yoo Choa and Cheon Suho were wiped out, but since he'd only buffed from the back, her relief deepened.

So she proposed—dinner tonight, to apologize properly for last time.

Would he accept? What if he refused again? But Yohan agreed readily, and she couldn't help but feel joyful. It would ease the lingering debt in her heart.

Thus, the restaurant she took him to. Ordering dishes that probably cost hundreds of thousands per meal, Elizabeth inhaled deeply.

Expensive, exquisite food was nice, but treating and apologizing with money wasn't noble conduct. Solving everything with cash wasn't the Taylor way.

So. She had to apologize properly.

"I'm truly sorry for before."

She bowed her head with sincerity. What if he didn't accept? Even if unintentional, she'd reopened potential wounds. Thinking of how deep his scars might be dried her lips.

"Pfft. What're you on about between us? It's fine. Really."

Ah. That casual remark melted the anxiety squeezing her chest in an instant. Others might exploit a Taylor weakness and demand favors, but he just smiled and brushed it off.

Between us. Us...

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"We're friends, right?"

"Friends... friends."

To her, who'd had no one to call a friend beyond Jin Siyeon since childhood—due to training, studies, and noble education—that word was precious.

"I like the sound of that. Hehe. Friends... friends."

It ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠satisfied her. Though...

Pang. Again, in one corner of her chest. A brief pain that vanished instantly.

The food was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠delicious. When in my current life—or even my past one—had I ever tasted something this fancy?

"You're eating well."

"No leftovers, promise."

And these upscale dishes had a reason for their price—like the premium coffee at the Academy cafeteria, they seemed to have special effects. I could feel yesterday's combat injuries healing faster.

And...

Meal event! Stat ups are sweet!

"Whew. Stuffed. Thanks for the meal."

"My pleasure. Shall we head out?"

The sun had set, and the city's lights twinkled. Academy cadets could go out at night, but better to head back quietly now.

Elizabeth went to pay at the counter. As the manager approached, I opened my status window.

Opening my stat screen after a while, I noticed steady gains across the board. What stood out more was my mana still barely budging. I'd used Heal plenty alongside buff training—shouldn't mana be rising decently by now?

Sigh. Fine. Buffers gotta buffer. Healing's secondary.

Anyway, stats aside, rank... should go up a notch soon. Good. Higher ranks unlock more buffs, so I'll keep busy.

"Yohan!! Let's go!"

"Coming."

Back at the Academy with Elizabeth, the streetlamps illuminated the grounds. Spring breeze rustling trees, the academy's front gate avenue glowing softly—quite beautiful.

"Hehehe..."

Laughter came from Elizabeth, strolling lightly with hands behind her back.

"What's got you so happy?"

"Oh, you know! Ohohoho!!"

Anyway, glad she's pleased. The gloom from last time seems gone. Good things are good.